2014 Woodbine Racing Program Exciting for Ontario Breeders

The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario wishes to clarify the memo issued on February 27th (see below) with the following statement:

Further to the memo issued to Woodbine Thoroughbred Horsemen on February 27th, regarding the revisions to the Ontario Sire Racing Program for 2014, we would like to provide clarification.

1. The 40% purse bonus for all eligible Ontario Sired runners in open and unrestricted overnight and stakes races will be paid across the board first through fifth, NOT just on the win.

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2. Horses that are entered for a claiming price on behalf of the original breeder or the original purchaser whether through a sale or privately are eligible for the Ontario Sired bonus at all levels.

Once Claimed:
Horses that are claimed are eligible for the Ontario Sired bonus provided they race at the $20,000 and up level.

When a claimed horse races for $16,000 or lower, they no longer qualify for the Ontario Sired bonus.

Original Announcement:
Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) today jointly announced changes to Woodbine’s Ontario-sired Thoroughbred racing program.

The restructuring offers substantial incentives and bonuses to horsepeople with Ontario-bred and -sired horses competing at all levels of the Woodbine “overnight” program. Specifically, a 40% purse bonus is now available to eligible Ontario-sired runners competing in “open,” unrestricted races.

“The new 40% Ontario-sired bonus stacked on top of the pre-existing 20% Ontario-bred bonus for eligible horses in open races has stunning implications for the province’s racing program,” said Sue Leslie, HBPA’s Executive Director. “Breeders with Ontario sires and horsepeople that are considering foaling Thoroughbreds in Ontario have tremendous financial incentive to do so with this reorganization of the Ontario Sires incentive program.”

An eligible Ontario-Sired/Ontario-bred runner in an open Maiden Special Weight event now runs for a total purse of $89,460 ($55,900 base + $11,200 Ontario-bred bonus + $22,360 Ontario Sired bonus).

The bonus program will be funded by adjustments in Ontario-Sired restricted allowance race conditions offered to horsemen daily on the 133-date Woodbine calendar. The Ontario Sired Maiden Claiming $25,000 class has been discontinued. The Ontario-Sired Non-Winners of 3 condition combines with the $40,000 Claiming NW3. And the Ontario Sired Maiden Special Weight and OS-NW2 purses have been moved to $45,000 and $47,500, respectively.

“The reorganization of Woodbine’s Ontario-sired purse and race infrastructure has benefits for both the horsepeople of the province and importantly the fans and the bettors of Woodbine racing,” said Steve Koch, WEG’s Vice President of Racing. “The streamlined conditions allow more opportunities to fill open races with large fields, which horseplayers desire. The purse bonus rewards Ontario-based horsepeople for producing competitive runners.”

All current registered Ontario-Sired runners are eligible for the 40% purse bonus except for previously claimed horses (at any price) in $16,000 Claiming or lesser events.

The bonus program, which is subject to Ontario Racing Commission approval, goes into effect for the start of the 2014 Thoroughbred season on Saturday, April 12.